Imitating Christ’s Humility

Imitating Christ’s Humility Sakwa Buliba

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a serv- ant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8).

If you asked parents what character traits they would like their children to display in life, you’ll certainly hear something like: “praised by others, aggres- sive, self-reliant, self-confident, having self-esteem and ability to manipulate others for personal profit.....” This pictures the nature of the society we  live in, particularly when we consider that Christians are no different in aspiring to be always on top of others, using others, receiv- ing praise and seeking self-exaltation more often at the expense of others with lesser means.

In His earthly life and specifically at the Cross; we meet our Lord Jesus manifesting godly humility in all His character. We see in Him poverty of spirit, meekness, pa- tience, lowliness of mind, soul-abasement, self-depreciation. In the Gospel of John, we have the inner life of Christ laid bare regarding His relation to the Father, the motives and power by which He acts: “The Son can do nothing of his own accord” (Jn. 5:19,30; 6:38; 8:28); “I do not seek my own glory” (Jn. 5:41; 8:50); “My teaching is not mine” (Jn. 7:16; 14:10, 24); “I have not come of my own accord” (Jn. 7:28; 8:42). This is the message Christ displayed before the disciples, who were preoccu- pied with debates of who should be greatest in the kingdom.

1. The very God becomes man

“...Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped....” (v. 6).

For the sake of His enemies, He leaves the realms of heaven to come and dwell on earth. He accepts to be born in an animal’s feeding trough, of a woman, breath- ing human oxygen, getting tempted (Heb. 4:15), feeling sorrowful (Matt. 26:37-39), mourning (Jn. 11:35), thirsting, becoming hungry, tired and sleepy (Lk 14:1; Matt. 8:24). Instead of holding onto His Godhead and evading human suffering, He vol- untarily chose to undergo all the pain and humiliation in order to secure the eternal welfare of His enemies: the sinners.

2. The very Master becomes a servant

....“but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant...” (v. 7)

Jesus cautioned His disciples against taking any place before God or man except that of a servant, clearly demonstrated by the Master washing their feet (Jn. 13:5, Lk. 22:27). Although He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, our gracious Savior delighted not in the praise of men. He pleased not Himself and made Himself of no reputation despite the glory that He had with the Father from the creation of the world. Christ would continually deny Himself in order to minister to others. He would be patient under venomous insults. He would think more of godly beggars than of worldly kings. With no home to call His own and getting His upkeep from alms, He mingled with beggars and rendered service to all as though He was not the Master (Lk. 9:58; Matt. 20:28; Lk. 22:27).

3. The giver of life succumbs to death

...“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (v. 8).

Think of how many cripples Jesus enabled to walk, how many blind whose eyes He opened, how many terminally ill he healed by word of His mouth, how many dead He called forth from death to life. Mockers and scoffers sarcastically urged Him to come down from the Cross, if indeed He was the Son of God. Others told Him to save Himself as He saved others. Yet He willingly gave up His spirit and died at the Cross for the sake of sinners, including those who nailed Him on the Cross.

4. Christians’ attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus......” (v. 5)

The question is often asked, “How can we count others better than ourselves when we can see that they are below us in knowledge, natural gifts, wisdom and in their walk with God?” The question itself is sufficient evidence that we indeed esteem ourselves above others. We should rather be wondering how Christ Jesus would count us, worth- less sinners as we are, better than Himself to the point of dying for us when He knew that we were but rebels, blind, deaf, lost, bound and dead in sin and trespasses! If a righteous Man can die for His tormentors and His enemies, who are we?

He taught, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). Jesus’ attitude was that of counting Himself the servant of men. He never for a moment thought of seeking His honor or exercising His enormous power to annihilate His enemies. He lived a life yielded to God to work through Him. He teaches us that our role is to yield to God in perfect resignation and dependence, in full consent to be and to do nothing of ourselves. Our gracious Lord urges us to learn of Him! Learning of Him implies an actual increasing conformity to the like- ness of Christ. It means a crucifying of self. He teaches a sinking every moment into deep humility and a rise every moment into recognition of Christ as our all in all.

A Christian needs to desire lowliness of mind, to esteem others more than himself. He will see more evil in his own heart than in any other person around him. He feels his utter unworthiness and sinfulness in the sight of God’s holiness every day. A Christian understands when Abraham says, “I am but dust and ashes”(Gen. 18:27), he is ready to say with Jacob, “I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of stead- fast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant” (Gen. 32:10), he is willing to cry with David, “I am a worm” (Ps. 22:6), he would willingly confess with Job, “I am of small account” (Job 40:4), proclaim with Isaiah, “I am a man of unclean lips” (Isa. 6:5) and exclaim with Peter, “I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Lk. 5:8) and with Paul, “I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle”, “I am the foremost of sinners” (1 Cor. 15:9; I Tim. 1:15).